Tube seat protector



June 6, 1933. w z 1,912,609

TUBE SEAT PROTECTOR Filed July 30, 1952 Fla. 2

INVENTOR LEONARD WENZER Patented June 6, 1933 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEONARD WENZER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TUBE SEAT PROTECTOR Application filed July 30,

This invention particularly refers to a protecting sleeve of special design for insertion into an opened tube header or return bend to protect the seating surfaces therein,

5 particularly during the time the tube is being cleaned.

A header or return bend, which is extensively used to connect fluid conduits, such as parallel heating tubes in series, comprises a pair of sleeves or collars in which the ends of adjacent tubes are secured and a U-shaped return bend, the ends of which bear against seating surfaces within said collar. The U- bends are usually held securely in place by i said collars, the yokes and the entire return bend being removable to permit inspection, cleaning and replacement of the tubes. In removing carbonaceous, calcareous or other hard deposits whichmay accumulate within the tubes in certain classes of service, it is the usual practice to use cleaning tools which, unless handled with extreme care, may damage the seating surface within the header.

The present invention provides, a special device for protecting the seating surfaces in headers of this type, particularly during the cleaning operation. This device comprises, essentially, a removable sleeve-which may be inserted in the header after the return bend is removed, serving to protect the seating surface "within the header and still permitting unobstructed access to the tube for cleaning.

The attached diagrammatic drawing clearillustrates the form and method of use of l the apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section through a portion of a tube and header with the return bend removed and the protecting sleeve in place in the header.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same tube and header with the protecting sleeve in place, taken in section along a horizontal plane indicated by the line 22 in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, one end of the tube is indicated at 1 and is threaded, rolled or otherwise secured to collar 2 of the headremovable yokes which are supported by suitable frames attached to or integral with 1932. Serial No. 627,155..

tapered seating surface 4, in the case here illustrated, is a part of collar 2' and is shielded from contact with cleaning tools which ma be inserted into the tube by means of tl ie protecting sleeve 5. When the end of the tubel is chamfered, the adjacent end of protecting sleeve 5 may conform in shape to the chamfered surface and may bear against it to hold the protecting sleeve in line, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and/or there may be a ring 6 preferably of soft metal such as copper, fastened, by brazing or in any other suitable manner, to sleeve 5 and bearing against the tapered seating surface 4 to prevent lateral movement of the protecting sleeve. Protecting sleeve 5 has a projecting portion 7 which may be obtained by cutting one end of the cylindrical sleeve on an angle, as illustrated in the drawing, or which may be simply a projecting arm. Attached to this projecting portion 7 is a suitable lug or U-shaped member 8 which pr0- jects through opening 9 in the arm 3 of the header when the sleeve is in place. This opening, 9 may be the same opening which receives one end of the yoke (not shown) which serves to retain the U-bend in place. Abent pin 10 is inserted between the inner surface of the projecting lug or U-shaped member 8 and the outer surface of'arm 3, serving to retain the sleeve 5 in position.

The internal diameter of the protecting sleeve 5 is of the same size or somewhat larger than the internal diameter of tube 1 and it will be noted that the protecting sleeve 5 permits unrestricted entrance to tube 1 and still affords complete shielding and protection for the seating surface 4.

It will be understood that minor modifications of the particular form of protective sleeve here illustratedmay be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention and it will also be understood that protective sleeves of the-general ty e provided by the present invention may be utilized in tube headers or return bends of different form than the specific type illustrated.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for protecting the seating surface within a tube header, comprising in combination a removable sleeve with a soft metal ring attached to its outer surface and disposed to bear against the seating surface and means for holdin the sleeve securely in place within the hea er.

2. In combination, a removable sleeve for protecting the seating surface within a tube header having a soft metal ring attached to its outer surface and disposed to bear against the seating surface and means for holding the sleeve securely in place within the header comprising a lug attached to the outer end of the sleeve adapted to fit into an opening in said tube header.

3. In combination, a removable sleeve for protecting the seating surface within a tube header having means for holding the inner end of the sleeve securely in place, comprising a soft metal ring attached to the outer surface of the sleeve and disposed to bear against the seating surface in said header and means for holding the outer end of the sleeve securely in place.

4. In combination,a removable sleeve for protecting the seating surface within a tube header, one end of which is outwardly chamfered to bear against the inwardly chamfered end of the tube and means for holding the opposite end of the sleeve securely in place.

5. In combination, a removable sleeve for protecting the seating surface within a tube header having means for holding its inner end securely in place and means for holding its outer end which comprises a U-shaped lug attached thereto and adapted to extend through an opening in said header and a removable pin to be inserted between the inner surface of the U-shaped lug and the outer surface of the header.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LEONARD WENZER. 

